{"id":23895,"date":"2026-07-15T10:42:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T10:42:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hbnaupair.com\/?page_id=23895"},"modified":"2026-07-15T10:42:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T10:42:54","slug":"family-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hbnaupair.com\/nl\/family-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"Family FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Family FAQs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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At HBN, we believe a successful au pair experience starts with the right support. Below you’ll find answers to the questions we receive most often from host families. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, our team is always happy to help.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Safety & Trust\n<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Does HBN help host families if there are issues with their au pair? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Yes. HBN offers direct mediation and guidance to resolve misunderstandings quickly and fairly.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Does HBN provide support during a rematch process? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Yes. HBN supports both the host family and the au pair throughout the rematch process. We provide guidance, assist with communication, and help find a suitable new match whenever possible. Please note that finding a new au pair on short notice is not always possible. Therefore, host families should ensure they have backup childcare arrangements in place during the transition period. Our goal is to make the rematch process as smooth and professional as possible while supporting all parties involved.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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How does HBN ensure a good match between au pairs and families? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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HBN uses careful profile screening, personal interviews, and ongoing communication, contributing to a low rematch rate (<10%).<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Is HBN a reliable and reputable agency? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Yes. HBN follows Dutch regulations, provides personalized support, and maintains low rematch rates.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Process & Legal Requirements<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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How does matching work for host families? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Families create a profile, browse candidates, conduct interviews, and receive HBN support throughout the process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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How long does it take before an au pair can start? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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In the fastest case, an au pair can start approximately within<\/span> 3 months. The timeline mainly depends on how quickly a suitable match is made. When needed, we always do our best to arrange starting as quickly as possible.<\/span><\/p>

This is subject to all required documents being completed and approved, as well as processing times from external authorities such as the IND and embassies.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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How long may an au pair stay with you? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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An au pair receives a residence permit for a maximum of one year (365 days) and may stay in the Netherlands for the duration of this period. After 365 days the au pair program stops and the au pair needs to return to their country of origin. There may be possibility for the au pair to apply for an alternative visa however the legal sponsorship from HBN stops after 365 days. Same goes for EU residencies, the au pair program is maximum one year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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How many hours may an au pair perform duties per week? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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The au pair is allowed to perform duties up to 30 hours per week, with a maximum of 8 hours per day. In addition, an au pair is entitled to two days off per week, one free weekend per month (from Friday evening to Sunday evening), and two weeks of holiday per year. These holiday periods may be planned separately.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Understanding Our Candidate Selection<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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How does HBN select its au pair candidates? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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At HBN, we believe the au pair programme is first and foremost about <\/span>cultural exchange, personal growth, and becoming part of a host family<\/b>. This philosophy guides our entire selection process.<\/span><\/p>

We carefully screen every applicant to ensure they understand the purpose of the programme and are motivated by the opportunity to experience a new culture, develop personally, and contribute to family life. We look for candidates who are enthusiastic, responsible, open-minded, and genuinely interested in becoming a temporary member of a Dutch family.<\/span><\/p>

As a recognised sponsor, we also ensure that every applicant meets the legal requirements of the Dutch au pair program. An au pair is not a professional nanny, housekeeper, full-time childcare provider or a parent, but someone who participates in a cultural exchange while helping with light childcare and household duties.<\/span><\/p>

By selecting candidates who share these values and carefully matching them with like-minded host families, we help create safe, rewarding, and successful au pair experiences for everyone involved.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Which countries do most HBN au pairs come from? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Most of our au pairs come from South Africa and South America. Over the years, we have built strong partnerships and gained extensive experience working with candidates from these regions, allowing us to provide high-quality support to both au pairs and host families. <\/span><\/p>

We welcome applications from many other countries and regularly assess new opportunities to expand our network. As a recognised sponsor, we can only work with candidates when we are confident that the placement meets the objectives of the Dutch au pair program and all the legal requirements. <\/span><\/p>

In some situations, such as political instability, conflict or changing immigration regulations, we may temporarily pause recruitment from certain countries. This helps us ensure that every placement is safe, responsible and focused on genuine cultural exchange.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Hosting an EU Au Pair\n<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Why use HBN for an EU au pair? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Many families wonder why they should use an agency when hosting an EU au pair is legally simpler than hosting a non-EU au pair. While the administrative process may be easier, creating a successful au pair experience requires much more than simply finding someone who is available.<\/span><\/p>

Unlike non-EU au pairs, EU candidates do not need a residence permit or visa to participate in the program. This means the application process is often quicker and less complicated. However, it also means there are fewer practical barriers to joining, and, if expectations are not met, fewer barriers to leaving the program early.<\/span><\/p>

At HBN, we believe that <\/span>commitment is one of the most important factors in a successful placement<\/b>. That’s why we invest significant time in getting to know every candidate before introducing them to a host family. We don’t just assess experience; we explore their motivation, expectations, and understanding of what it means to become part of a Dutch family for a full year.<\/span><\/p>

As part of our screening process, every EU candidate:<\/span><\/p>